Dennis Benjamin Wolfe
Jan. 9, 1938-Feb. 2, 2023
Dennis Benjamin Wolfe took off on his final flight Feb. 2, 2023. His wishes to stay home on the shores of Flathead Lake to the end were realized.
Denny was born in Postville, Iowa, on Jan. 9, 1938 to Emerson and Dorotha (Haas) Wolfe. His dad went into the Air Force during WWII and he and his mom moved back to Volga, S.D., where he went to school. He played in every sport available and his six-man football team won the state championship one year.
He enjoyed pheasant and duck hunting with friends and cousins with stories of hits, misses, and great feasts. He became an Eagle Scout and worked in summer scout camps, enjoying reciting Robert Service stories and poems he’d memorized, complete with yam wigs, corn-cob pipe, and frocks, around the evening campfires. He continued to recite these to family and friends throughout his life.
He loved flying and took lessons before starting collage at South Dakota State University. He was in the Reserved Officer Training Corp, played football, and was a dorm counselor, active in college activities and earned a BS degree in 1960.
He joined the Air Force pilot-training program and was stationed at Luke AFB, Phoenix, Ariz., in the 615th Fighter Squadron. From there he went to Clark AFB in the Philippines and into the Viet Nam War. He opted out after seven years.
He married Marion Hagler in 1967 and they had two children. He was hired by TWA and flew until retirement in 1997. He and his family came to Flathead Lake to vacation on Meadowlark Lane and liked it so much that he decided he wanted to live here someday. He bought a cabin and moved here when he retired, living here the rest of his life.
He went back to Volga, S.D., to a 50th class reunion and reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Jan; they were married in 2008 in the old Presbyterian Church and moved to Montana.
They became active in helping restore the Big Arm School which is now a much-needed Community Center; and helped with “Mission Valley Live” bringing good music to schools and area concerts.
Dennis was very active in the Big Brother Program and continued friendship through the many years with one Little Brother, Seth. They did some H4H builds to Kyrgastan and New Zealand, which involved many adventures and meeting many interesting people, especially two young women, Theresa from Portland, Ore., and Jenel from New York City. The friendship continues through communication and annual visits. Denny became “Gramps” and they became our “adopted granddaughters.”
In addition to his wife, Jan Olsen, Dennis is survived by children Ben, and his wife, Susan, and stepdaughters Taryn and Tessa; Jane, and her husband, Jim, and daughters Lyndsey and Molly; one brother, David, and wife Elke; and a large circle of extended family and friends.
The family would like to thank dear friends who called, sent cards and letters, came for visits, and brought food, flowers, and regular supplies of Moose Tracks ice cream. A special thanks to the amazing, loving care from Luella and Pat, Loyal Care in-home-assistance and Kellyann and staff; and RN Julianne, and Partners in Home Care Hospice and staff.
A Celebration of Denny’s Life will be June 21, at 2 p.m. at his home, 45564 Meadowlark Ln., Big Arm, along the shore of Flathead Lake. Please bring a lawn chair; dessert (Denny’s favorite part of a meal), will be served after.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association would be greatly appreciated.